Importantly, judge James Peterson is a recent Obama appointee. Harry Reid was able to get a vote on cloture by a vote of 56-40. The Senate voted 70-24 for final confirmation later the same day.
He did well in his testimony under questioning by Sen Grassley, and has recused himself in at least one case where there was a potential conflict of interest.
It will be interesting to see what he does, especially because the former Wisconsin chief justice is a rabid partisan.